Answering a few survey questions will enable us to benchmark your organization's external innovation readiness.
Innovation readiness is a measurement of where an organization is on its innovation LEARN, EXPLORE, and ENGAGE journey. Knowing where you are informs what you are likely to be able to accomplish and where your program growth plan should focus to remove barrier, particularly internally. You will see your rating at the end of the survey.
In early programs, companies often start with a posture of 'looking' innovative as they LEARN what's possible in the technical community. This phase often entails attending events, participating in startup activities, visiting universities, and stuff like that. Internally the organization is just starting to figure out how to find, fund, and foster external innovation work with startups and universities.
As the program evolves, EXPLORING best approaches to external innovation becomes increasingly important. Posture quickly shifts to 'being' innovative. In this phase priorities focus on finding solutions to real business needs, (simplified) legal agreements to start work with startups and universities quickly, and support from within the organization around how to fund external projects all start to take shape.
When all the pieces come together externally and internally the program is ready to ENGAGE opportunities. From here a portfolio of projects can be built with a mix of stratups and university researchers. The work focuses on top-priority business needs of the organization. Commercialization of new technologies, through your organization's processes (i.e. legal, regulatory, supply chain, marketing, IT, etc.) is now front and center.
A survey score of 0-6 indicates an organization is LEARNING what's possible about external innovation. In early programs, companies often start with a posture of 'looking' innovative as they LEARN what's possible in the technical community. This phase often entails attending events, participating in startup activities, visiting universities, and stuff like that. Internally the organization is just starting to figure out how to find, fund, and foster external innovation work with startups and universities.
A survey score of 7-12 indicates an organization is now EXPLORING best approaches. As the program evolves, EXPLORING best approaches to external innovation becomes increasingly important. Posture quickly shifts to 'being' innovative. In this phase priorities focus on finding solutions to real business needs, (simplified) legal agreements to start work with startups and universities quickly, and some support from in the organization for funding projects.
A survey score of 13-18 indicates your organization has developed the internal processes, legal agreements, project funding, etc. which are some of the enablers to ENGAGE opportunities and be successful in executing external innovation opportunities. When all the pieces come together externally and internally the program is ready to ENGAGE opportunities. From here a portfolio of projects can be built with a mix of stratups and university researchers working on the top priority business needs of the organization. Commercialization of new technology, through your organization processes, is front and center.
So what do I do next?
An innovation roadmap identifies gaps and barriers, as well as identifies strategies to grow internal and external capabilities. Having such a plan make communicating with senior leaders easier and drives more successful innovation outcomes. We can help you build an innovation roadmap for your organization.
